régimen
/REH-hee-men/
regime
A palace can represent the seat of a political regime.
📝 In Action
La caída del régimen marcó el inicio de una nueva era.
B1The fall of the regime marked the beginning of a new era.
Muchos ciudadanos se opusieron al antiguo régimen.
B2Many citizens opposed the old regime.
💡 Grammar Points
The Stress Shift
When you make this word plural, the accent mark moves! One 'régimen' (stress on first syllable) becomes 'regímenes' (stress on second syllable) to keep the sound in the right place.
⭐ Usage Tips
Tone Check
In a political context, 'régimen' often carries a slightly negative or strict tone compared to the neutral word 'gobierno'.
A healthy meal represents a nutritional diet or regimen.
📝 In Action
El médico me puso a régimen para bajar la tensión.
A2The doctor put me on a diet to lower my blood pressure.
Sigo un régimen de ejercicios muy estricto.
B1I follow a very strict exercise regimen.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'a' with diet
To say 'on a diet,' Spanish uses the little word 'a'. So 'estar a régimen' literally means 'to be at/to regime'.
A gavel and organized files symbolize a set of regulations or a formal system.
📝 In Action
El régimen interno de la empresa prohíbe fumar.
B2The company's internal regulations prohibit smoking.
Bajo este régimen fiscal, pagamos menos impuestos.
C1Under this tax system, we pay fewer taxes.
⭐ Usage Tips
Professional Use
Use this word when talking about formal 'rules of the game' in a business or legal setting.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: régimen
Question 1 of 2
What happens to the word 'régimen' when it becomes plural?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'dieta' the same as 'régimen'?
Mostly, yes! 'Dieta' is more common for food specifically, while 'régimen' sounds a bit more formal or like a strict plan ordered by a doctor.
Does it always mean a bad government?
Not always, but in news and history, it is often used to describe authoritarian or non-democratic systems.